Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul><li>The latest study, which was conducted in Brazil and Scotland, reportedly showed that the effectiveness of the vaccine reduced 18-19 weeks after the second shot of the Astrazeneca vaccine.</li><li>The study went on to conclude that those who took the Covishied vaccine may need to consider booster shots.</li><li>Business Insider has reached out to Serum Institute of India for comments and will update the story if and when we receive a response.</li></ul>Amid heated debates on whether people should be told to get booster shots of vaccine, in the face of a fresh outbreak of Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, a new article published in the Lancet weighs in favour of additional jabs. This was based on a study of those who got Covishied, developed by Astrazeneca and sold by the Serum Institute in India. The latest study, which was conducted in Brazil and Scotland, reportedly showed that the effectiveness of the vaccine reduced 18-19 weeks after the second shot of the Astrazeneca vaccine. Reduced effectiveness can be read as higher chances of need for hospitalisation and even deaths. The study went on to conclude that those who took the Covishied vaccine may need to consider booster shots. This may be significant for India as the biggest chunk of those vaccinated in the country have been given Covishield jabs. As of December 21, 2021, more than 89% of the vaccine doses administered in India were Covishield. Business Insider has reached out to Serum Institute of India for comments and will update the story if and when we receive a response. In Brazil, the vaccine effectiveness was found to be generally lower as compared to Scotland. The randomised trials revealed that the vaccine’s effectiveness improved up to 4-5 weeks after the second dose and started decreasing at 18-19 weeks. The report further highlighted that the patterns for COVID hospitalisation and deaths were broadly similar in both the countries. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/meta-files-lawsuit-against-over-39000-websites-to-disrupt-phishing-attacks-designed-to-steal-login-credentials-of-its-users/articleshow/88405129.cms">Meta files lawsuit against over 39,000 websites to disrupt phishing attacks designed to steal login credentials of its users</a>

Lancet article makes a case that those who took Covishield vaccine need booster shots

New Delhi, Hyderabad-based <keyword id="149108" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech">Bharat Biotech</keyword> will make a presentation before the <keyword id="3923779" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="subject-expert-committee">Subject Expert Committee</keyword> of the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Wednesday evening for approval of its <keyword id="24209" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine">vaccine</keyword> - Covaxin, government sources. Earlier on Wednesday, the <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> (SII)'s application for emergency use authorisation of its Covid-19 vaccine was also considered by the Subject Expert Committee. The development came hours after the United Kingdom accepted the recommendation of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise the Oxford University-AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword>, for emergency approval use. The authorisation was significant for India as the Pune-based Serum Institute of India had tied up with Oxford University-AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine in India. America's Pfizer was the first to apply on December 4, followed by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, who applied on December 6 and 7, respectively. Pfizer has, however, requested more time to make its presentation before the committee. On December 9, the Subject Expert Committee had, however, asked Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech to submit more data and information to get emergency use approval (EUA) for their vaccine candidates. The expert panel had then asked SII to submit the outcome of the assessment of UK-MHRA for grant of emergency use approval, the updated safety data of the Phase-II/III clinical trials and immunogenecity data from the clinical trial in the UK and India. Bharat Biotech was recommended to present the safety and efficacy data from the ongoing Phase-III clinical trial in the country for further consideration. Both the firms had again submitted their applications last week seeking approval of the vaccine. The Central government plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore <keyword id="6360040" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="people">people</keyword> in the first phase of the vaccine drive. It would be offered to one crore healthcare workers, along with two crore frontline and essential workers and 27 crore elderly people, mostly above 50 years with comorbidities. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-sbi-hdfc-bank-wipro-ril-future-retail-tcs-jindal-stainless-upl-irctc-and-others/articleshow/80019871.cms">Top stocks to watch — SBI, HDFC Bank, Wipro, RIL, Future Retail, TCS, Jindal Stainless, UPL, IRCTC, and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-detects-14-new-cases-of-uk-covid-19-strain-putting-the-tally-at-20/articleshow/80020163.cms">India detects 14 new cases of UK COVID-19 strain, putting the tally at 20India detects 14 new cases of UK COVID-19 strain, putting the tally at 20</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/2021-could-finally-be-the-year-of-indias-tech-ipos-as-startups-like-zomato-delhivery-policybazaar-head-for-the-public-markets/slidelist/80019978.cms">2021 could finally be the year of India’s tech IPOs as startups like Zomato, Delhivery, Policybazaar head for the public markets</a>

After SII's Covishield, Bharat Biotech plans to put its COVID-19 vaccine for approval before expert panel

<ul><li>The CEO of the world's largest vaccine maker has been getting much flak from those who think the vaccine prices are too high.</li><li>From defending the policy of charging different prices for different customers, Poonawalla has now take a small step back by reducing the price charged to state governments. </li><li>Business Insider has argued that the price of the vaccine should be the same for everyone otherwise there is a risk that the precious vials may be moved to more lucrative private hospitals, making the poorer sections of the society wait longer. </li></ul>After much backlash for the last set of pricing announced by <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> (SII), for its <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> vaccine, Chief Executive Officer <keyword id="383467" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adar-Poonawalla">Adar Poonawalla</keyword> today annnounced that the world's largest vaccine maker would give the state governments a ₹100 discount on every dose. In a tweet, Poonawalla called this cut a "philanthropic gesture" that will save crores of rupees of state funds and save countless lives. That's a sharp departure from his stand just a few days ago. <div type="twitter" handle="adarpoonawalla" handlename="Adar Poonawalla" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1302181254746509313/Kn1fTCv6_normal.jpg" favoritecount="17114" retweetcount="4403" status="As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.… https://t.co/kHmxPnv4K7" createdat="1619611993000" id="1387379373452390409"></div> These are the prices fixed by Serum Institute of India (SII) for the Covishield vaccine: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">If the vaccine is sold to… </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Price per dose </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Central government </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹150 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">State government </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹300 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Private hospitals </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹600 </td></tr></tbody></table>*The earlier price announced for state governments was ₹400 a dose. On April 24, Poonawalla's company was defending the prices announced by the company earlier. "We have to ensure sustainability as we must be able to invest in scaling up and expanding our capacity to fight the pandemic and save lives," said a statement from SII. However, now the company has decided to cut the prices but the debate is far from over. Many people argue that it should be free for all. And many state governments like those Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and many others, have already said that the state will bear the cost of vaccination. Business Insider has argued, earlier, that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/policy/article/if-the-covid-19-vaccine-prices-are-too-high-for-some-then-why-not-use-direct-benefit-transfer/articleshow/82200370.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">the price of the vaccine should be the same for everyone</a> otherwise there is a risk that the precious vials may be moved to more lucrative private hospitals, making the poorer sections of the society wait longer. A petition filed in the High Court of Kerala has also argued that the three-tier pricing is a violation of a citizen's 'right to health'. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-needs-tariff-hikes-to-sustain-earnings-growth-as-subscriber-additions-slow-down/articleshow/82289799.cms">Look for this number in Reliance Jio’s earnings⁠ — it will tell you if the tariff will rise</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/cowin-website-is-back-up-after-an-early-crash-finding-a-vaccination-slot-may-still-be-difficult/articleshow/82291583.cms">CoWIN website is back up after an early crash⁠ — finding a vaccination slot may still be difficult</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/checkout-zomato-top-executives-salaries-including-co-founder-and-ceo-deepinder-goyal/slidelist/82289352.cms">From Deepinder Goyal to Zomato’s top executives – here’s how much they earn</a>

Adar Poonawalla's Serum cuts Covishield vaccine price for state governments to ₹300 a dose after much backlash

<ul><li>SII chairperson Cyrus Poonawalla emphasised that a third booster shot of <keyword id="8904563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> is a “must” for people with weak immune systems.</li><li>The US government last week approved the third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.</li><li>Meanwhile, <keyword id="6366244" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="who">WHO</keyword> and SII have confirmed the existence of fake Covishield vials in India and Africa.</li></ul><keyword id="242973" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute">Serum Institute</keyword> of Indi's (SII) chairperson Cyrus Poonawalla has said that a third shot or a ‘booster dose’ of COVID-19 vaccine is desirable six months after taking the second dose of the vaccine. This is especially a “must” for those with weak immune systems, news agency PTI reported. SII makes India's primary COVID-19 vaccine, locally known as Covishield. Poonawalla also revealed that he, along with 7,000 employees of SII, have already taken the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary measure. “After six months, the antibodies go down and that is why I have taken the third dose. We have given the third dose to our seven to eight thousand SII employees. For those who have completed the second dose, it is my request to take a booster dose (third dose) after six months,” Poonawalla said. This development comes a week after the government of the United States (US) <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-is-eligible-third-covid-19-vaccine-dose-us-2021-08-15/">approved</a> the third/booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immune systems. Now, Pfizer and BioNTech have also <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/16/covid-vaccine-booster-shot-pfizer-submits-data-to-fda-for-approval.html">submitted</a> preliminary clinical data — evaluating the safety and efficacy of a third shot — to US health authorities to seek authorisation for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans and not just the ones with weakened immune systems. "The data we've seen to date suggest a third dose of our vaccine elicits antibody levels that significantly exceed those seen after the two-dose primary schedule,'' Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chairperson and chief executive officer, said in a statement. The menace of fake vaccine vials continues Another major issue that has been surrounding the Indian vaccination drive has been the administration or availability of fake COVID-19 vaccines in India. The <keyword id="6356311" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO) has <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58253488">identified</a> counterfeit versions of Covishield in India and Africa. As per the BBC report, the doses were seized by authorities in India and Africa between July and August. Even vaccine maker <keyword id="95879" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> has confirmed, to WHO, that the vaccine was fake. Multiple media reports, published in the past months, have also highlighted the existence of a vaccine scam in India under which victims were given saline water in lieu of the COVID-19 vaccine. Health minister of Maharashtra Rajesh Tope also <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/mumbai/story/mumbai-covid-vaccination-scam-victims-given-saline-water-antibody-test-first-week-july-1820847-2021-06-29">confirmed</a> the scam, and ensured that the victims would undergo antibody tests and will be administered with two doses of Covishield vaccine. Covishield is the local name of Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine and has been administered to more than 48.6 crore Indians, as per government data, as of August 17, 2021. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/a-third-of-internet-users-would-be-actively-shopping-online-by-the-end-of-this-decade-offline-retail-to-take-a-back-seat/articleshow/85390712.cms">A third of internet users would be actively shopping online by the end of this decade, offline retail to take a back seat</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/with-pharmeasy-mobikwik-and-ixigo-all-set-to-hit-the-public-market-orios-plans-to-go-deeper-into-pre-ipo-bets/articleshow/85359703.cms">With PharmEasy, MobiKwik and ixigo all set to hit the public market, Orios plans to go deeper into pre-IPO bets</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tamil-nadu-government-is-upset-about-losing-money-on-luxury-cars/articleshow/85322536.cms">Tamil Nadu government is upset about losing money on luxury cars</a>

WHO confirms existence of fake Covishield vaccines in India; Serum Institute pushes for a booster shot

The <keyword id="54656" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-embassy" source="Orion">Indian Embassy</keyword> in Rome said on Friday that the country has recognised the <keyword id="9617748" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covishield" source="Orion">Covishield</keyword> vaccine and people who have received the jab are now eligible for a <keyword id="9276440" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="green-pass" source="Orion">Green Pass</keyword>. With <keyword id="21474" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="italy" source="Orion">Italy</keyword>'s recognition, a total 19 European Union (EU) nations have given their go-ahead to Covishield. This is the outcome of a G20 Health Ministers meeting between Union Health Minister <keyword id="2607815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mansukh-mandaviya" source="Orion">Mansukh Mandaviya</keyword> and his Italian counterpart Roberto Speranza, the Embassy said in a tweet. "Indian vaccine CardHolders are now eligible for the Green Pass," it added Prior to this, Italy had recognised Comirnaty - Pfizer, Moderna, Vaxzervria - AstraZeneca, and <keyword id="92247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="johnson-johnson" source="Orion">Johnson &amp; Johnson</keyword> vaccines as valid. The other 18 EU nations that have recognised the Covishield vaccine are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the vaccine row with the UK continues as it has recognised the jab but a 10-day quarantine has been made mandatory which will come into the effect from October 4. Terming the present UK travel restrictions as discrimatory, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that "we have the right to reciprocate in the same manner". However, the British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said that Covishield vaccine is not a problem and the UK is open to travel. "We're clear Covishield is not a problem. The UK is open to travel and we're already seeing a lot of people going from India to the UK, be it tourists, business people or students". SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/heres-how-researchers-are-considering-fly-ash-recycled-phones-and-slag-to-lower-global-carbon-emissions-from-cement/articleshow/86477965.cms">Here’s how researchers are considering fly ash, recycled phones and slag to lower global carbon emissions from cement</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/bharat-bandh-called-by-dmk-on-september-27-to-protect-the-rights-of-the-farming-community/articleshow/86474697.cms">Bharat Bandh called by DMK on September 27 to 'protect the rights of the farming community'</a>

After UK and US, Italy also gives green pass to Covishield vaccine

<keyword id="242973" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="serum-institute" source="Orion">Serum Institute</keyword> of India (SII) plans to launch a COVID vaccine for children in the next six months, the company's CEO <keyword id="383467" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adar-poonawalla" source="Orion">Adar Poonawalla</keyword> said on Tuesday. Participating in an industry conference, Poonawalla said the vaccine '<keyword id="10678894" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covovax" source="Orion">Covovax</keyword>' is under trial and would offer protection to children all the way down till three years. Currently, <keyword id="9617748" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield" source="Orion">Covishield</keyword> and other COVID vaccines are approved for people above the age of 18 years. "We haven't seen a lot of severe disease in children. Fortunately, the panic is not there for children. However, we will be launching a vaccine in six months for children, hopefully down to the age of three," Poonawalla said. He noted that already there are two companies in India who are licensed and their vaccines will be available soon. "I think yes, you should take and get your children vaccinated. There is no harm, these vaccines have been proven to be safe and efficacious and all of that. If you feel you want to get your children vaccinated by all means wait for government announcements on that and you go ahead with that. "Our vaccine Covovax will be launched for children in six months," Poonawalla said, adding that Covovax is under trial and has shown excellent data all the way down to the age group of three years. Further, Poonawalla said there was enough data to show that the vaccines will work and protect the children against the infectious disease. He pointed out that so far nothing can be said about the <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> variant as to how it would impact the children. "I don't know what will happen with Omicron but so far the children have not been affected very badly with this (COVID) virus. I think their body, cells and their lungs recover better," he said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-reports-four-new-cases-of-omicron-covid-19-variant-says-health-minister/articleshow/88274332.cms">Delhi reports four new cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant, says Health Minister</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/china-reports-first-case-of-omicron-variant-in-the-port-city-of-tianjin-say-media-reports/articleshow/88273319.cms">China reports first case of Omicron variant in the port city of Tianjin, say media reports</a>

Serum Institute to roll out COVID-19 vaccine for children in six months, says CEO Adar Poonawalla

<keyword id="9626040" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covishield-vaccine">Covishield vaccine</keyword> offers protection from double mutant variant of novel coronavirus, shows a study by the <keyword id="395778" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Centre-for-Cellular-and-Molecular-Biology">Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology</keyword> (CCMB). CCMB Director Rakesh K. Mishra termed this as a very preliminary but encouraging result. "Early results using in vitro neutralisation assay show that both convalescent (prior infection) sera and <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> vaccinated sera offer protection against the B.1.617 variant, aka double mutant," he said in a tweet. The CCMB's finding came close on the heels of an announcement by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that Covaxin neutralises multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively works against the double mutant strain as well. Covaxin is India's first indigenous Covid vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR. Covishield has been developed by Oxford-Astrazeneca and is being produced by <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword>, <keyword id="2094" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pune">Pune</keyword>. Both Covaxin and Covishield are part of India's ongoing Covid vaccination programme. The 'double mutant' (B.1.617) is said to be responsible for the current surge in Covid-19 cases in <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> and other states in India. Scientists earlier feared that vaccines may not offer protection from 'double mutant' as it may escape the immune system. After the CCMB's latest announcement that Covishield too offers protection from 'double mutant', experts say this again underscore the need for people to get vaccinated. CCMB scientist Divya Tej Sowpati tweeted that the convalescent sera is from September 2020, hence most likely of an infection of a variant which is not B.1.617. He also pointed to misinformation and confusion about the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in India. Though B.1.617 is called 'double mutant', it is characterised by more than 15 mutations. "It got dubbed the 'double mutant' because of two <keyword id="16898" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Spike">spike</keyword> mutations, L452R and E484Q, which were mutations of concern because of their immune escape properties, and possible high infectivity," wrote Sowpati, who is leading Covid-19 genomics at CCMB. According to him, B.1.618 is not the 'triple mutant'. "Triple Mutant: Again, WRONG name, because it has many more defining mutations. Dubbed 'triple' because in addition to the two mutations, it also has V382L in its Spike. This is a sub-lineage of B.1.617, found mainly in MH samples and also a bit in other states." He also clarified that B.1.618 which was first sampled in West Bengal in late October 2020, has nothing to do with B.1.617, except for a couple of shared variants that all SARS-CoV-2 strains have at this point such as D614G. According to him, the main concern with B.1.618 is that it is found in growing proportions in West Bengal and has the spike del145-146 as well as E484K, both of which are known immune escape mutations. The scientist said that the names of "double" and "triple" mutants are wrong and misleading and that they have no connection to the lineage seen in West Bengal. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/worsening-air-quality-amid-the-surging-covid-19-cases-could-add-to-the-pressure-on-indias-healthcare-system/articleshow/82213498.cms">Air pollution is back with a vengeance as industries play catch up — and that could further worsen the COVID-19 pandemic</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/checkout-in-images-how-oxygen-is-being-transported-across-the-country-by-air-rail-and-road/slidelist/82212220.cms">By air, rail and road – how oxygen is being transported across India amidst a severe COVID-19 crisis</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/aiims-icmr-new-guidelines-for-treatment-of-covid-19-patients-with-moderate-case/articleshow/82211333.cms">Simplified: AIIMS, ICMR new guidelines for treatment of patients with ‘moderate’ case of COVID-19</a>

Covishield vaccine also protects from 'double mutant' strain of COVID-19, says CCMB

<ul><li>Instead of allowing vaccine makers to charge customers different prices for the same vaccine, the government could offer subsidy for those who need it the most via direct cash transfer.</li><li>Allowing different prices offers an incentive to move the stock of vaccines to the buyers who pay more i.e. private hospitals.</li><li>That may leave a lot of poorer Indians waiting in queues for a long time to get their share of the jabs.</li><li>Even with direct cash transfer, there may be a need to cap prices and to declare hoarding as a criminal act to ensure that the kind of leakage seen in ration shops is not replicated in vaccines as well. </li><li>There are arguments against direct benefit transfer as well. </li></ul>The new prices for COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, has triggered a debate in India. Some argue that the prices are too high for everyone to be able to afford, and some say that it should be free for all and the government should bear the cost. The government already has a lot of expenses piling up as it manages the pandemic, and hence, there are also those who see merit in arguing that those who can pay for the vaccine, must pay for it. However, there is a problem with letting private and for-profit companies charge different prices from different customers. These are the prices fixed by Serum Institute of India (SII) for the Covishield vaccine: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">If the vaccine is sold to… </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Price per dose </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Central government </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹150 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">State government </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹400 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Private hospitals </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹600 </td></tr></tbody></table> India is a developing country with millions of poor people with poor access to, and little money to spare for, healthcare. By allowing vaccine makers to choose the pricing based on who is buying the vaccine, the government may give the producer an incentive to direct more vaccines to the more expensive private hospitals, whereas a majority of the country still depends on state-run facilities. “Pricing should be uniform. Both the central and state governments should pay the same price for the vaccine. The government should also cap the price of the vaccine sold at private hospitals. Even the administrative charges should be capped. Otherwise a family of four may end up paying a lot for vaccination,” Doctor Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman and Managing Director of the New Delhi-based Nephron clinic told Business Insider. “Direct benefit transfer is also an option. And the cost of vaccination should be covered by all insurance companies,” Bagai added. <div type="image" title="Kolkata:Beneficiaries stands in a queue outside a health centre to receive a dos..." msid="82200586" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Beneficiaries stands in a queue outside a health centre to receive a dose of Covid-19 vaccine, amid surge in coronavirus cases, in Kolkata.Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The case for direct reimbursement for the cost of vaccine One may argue that there are covenants in place to ensure that the company sends an agreed amount of supply to government facilities. However, decades of similar policy experiments have taught us that such agreements are inefficient and provide a fertile ground for corrupt practices. The failure of such mechanisms gave birth to the idea of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It could be deployed here as well, given that patients coming in for vaccination are already being asked to submit their Aadhaar (unique identity number) details. Vaccine makers should charge the same price from all customers. Those who access it via government agencies, or any other filter as may be applicable, should be allowed to get the subsidy reimbursed to their bank account. This has been effectively used in transferring other subsidies like the ones for cooking gas and fertilisers. The government’s own estimate is that it has saved over ₹1.78 lakh crore ($25 billion) in subsidy leakage because of DBT. The argument against direct benefit transfer There are two arguments here against direct benefit transfer. One from R Ramakumar, Professor at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, who wants vaccines to be free for all as it is in countries like US, UK and China. The other argument is from Dr Arvind Virmani, an economist and the former Chief Economic Advisor to the government of India, who wants drug prices to be decontrolled totally and do a direct cash transfer on a larger scale and not limit it to vaccines alone. “Supply chain has to be developed. It can’t be done overnight. The data on production and sale of vaccines is transparently available from the producers, for the government, Astrazeneca and others to see. To introduce DBT now, it would mean taking out funding from other budgeted activities like infrastructure construction. Right now, vaccination is working smoothly. Don’t disrupt it,” he told Business Insider. Aside from the fact this may add a bureaucratic layer, Ramakumar’s contention is that by allowing state-run facilities to charge less, and private hospitals to charge more, there is an incentive of corruption in distribution. India already has decades of bad experience. from the public distribution system a.k.a the ration shops, where the subsidised stock is moved out to be sold at a higher price. A cap on prices, and a crackdown on hoarders by making it a criminal act, may be necessary to counter this, even with reimbursement of the vaccine cost via direct transfer to bank accounts. Virmani’s take is that there is a case to be made for both deregulating drug prices, as well as direct cash transfer for a variety of reasons, in India but that can’t be debated in the middle of a pandemic. “All drugs are controlled. We should be discussing decontrol of drugs. That’s not the problem right now. For the last 12 months, I have been saying you can create a direct cash transfer in 4 months. It should still be considered,” he added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/while-covid-19-is-making-millions-gasp-for-breath-in-india-state-administrations-are-trying-to-hoard-oxygen/articleshow/82199390.cms">While COVID-19 is making millions gasp for breath in India, state administrations are trying to hoard oxygen</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/covid-19-lockdowns-and-curfews-affecting-worlds-fourth-largest-automobile-market/articleshow/82195326.cms">There is a virtual lockdown in the world’s fourth largest automobile market</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/revolut-appoints-former-flipkart-exec-paroma-chatterjee-as-its-india-ceo/articleshow/82181199.cms">Revolut starts India operations, appoints former Lendingkart, Flipkart executive Paroma Chatterjee as CEO</a>

If the COVID-19 vaccine prices are too high for some, then why not use direct benefit transfer

<ul><li>The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has been banned in at least a dozen European countries due to blood clots being a possible side effect.</li><li>The <keyword id="6356311" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) assert that there is no link between the doses and the blood clots.</li><li>India — where the <keyword id="9356489" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="astrazeneca-vaccine">AstraZeneca vaccine</keyword> is manufactured by the <keyword id="95879" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> (SII) and sold as <keyword id="9617748" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> — is also reportedly conducting its own in-depth review.</li></ul>The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is being taken out of circulation by at least a dozen European countries. Their concern is that the most-sold vaccine globally may be causing blood clots in some patients. India is looking into the matter as well but has no immediate plans to ban the vaccine since no incidents of blood clotting have been reported locally yet. Moreover, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the clotting of blood has only been reported in people who received the vaccine from two batches of doses produced in Europe, not India. <div type="image" title="Copy of kalyan rev(2)" msid="81528187" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Orders of vaccine doses placed globally&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> What is the controversy? Denmark was the first country to suspend the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after reports of patients with blood clotting increase. Ireland was next, followed by Norway where three health workers who had recently received the vaccine were admitted to the hospital for bleeding, blood clots and low platelet count. So far, there have been <a href="https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/astrazeneca-vaccine-safe/106164/">30 reports</a> of blood clots across five million doses of the vaccine. What do the experts say? The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) assert that there is no link between the two. However, they are still reviewing the data as it comes in to verify whether or not blood clotting is a result of the vaccine. “This does not necessarily mean that these events are linked to vaccination. But, it’s routine practice to investigate them — it shows that the surveillance system works and that effective controls are in place,” said the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Director-General <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/astrazeneca-vaccine-is-still-on-whos-radar/articleshow/81524168.cms">Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus</a> during a press briefing on March 15. Where does India stand? India, where the AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), is also conducting its own in-depth review to look into the possibility of blood clots. The Indian version of the vaccine, called Covishield, has not just been used locally but been sent to other countries as well. The government has either gifted or exported millions of doses of SII’s vaccine to around 70 countries since January. “We are looking at all the adverse events, particularly serious adverse events like deaths and hospitalisation. We will come back if we find anything of concern,” NK Arora, a member of India’s national task force on COVID-19, told <a href="https://www.arabnews.com/node/1824731/world">AFP</a>. India has doled at least <a href="https://www.mygov.in/covid-19/">32 million shots</a> as of 8:00am on March 16. Most of these doses — the other candidate being Biotech’s <keyword id="9485939" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin">Covaxin</keyword> — consist of AstraZeneca doses produced at SII, the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/banks-are-not-liable-to-cough-up-payments-if-you-have-been-a-victim-of-fraud-or-scams/articleshow/81526097.cms">Banks are not liable to cough up payments if you have been a victim of fraud or scams</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/kalyan-jewellers-kicks-off-its-1175-crore-ipo-in-india/articleshow/81524972.cms">Kalyan Jewellers kicks off its ₹1,175 crore IPO but buyers may want to strap in for the long haul</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/the-us-dollar-is-expected-to-get-stronger-thats-good-news-for-indian-it-services-but-not-for-many-others/articleshow/81511223.cms">The US dollar is expected to get stronger⁠ — that's good news for Indian IT services but not for many others</a>

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine controversy explained — from suspension in Europe to India’s stance

Sri Lanka has temporarily halted its <keyword id="10199226" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccination-programme">COVID-19 vaccination programme</keyword> as there was a delay in securing <keyword id="11033857" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="more-astrazeneca-vaccines">more AstraZeneca vaccines</keyword> from the <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword>, a top health minister has said. Sri Lanka launched its inoculation programme late January when <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> gifted 500,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca. Till Thursday 913,219 people out of the island nation's 21 million population had been <keyword id="178509" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccinated">vaccinated</keyword>. Vaccination programme has been halted from Wednesday night due to the need to use the available Oxford-AstraZeneca doses for the second jab of those already vaccinated, primary health care and COVID-19 prevention minister Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror newspaper on Friday. She said the COVID-19 vaccination programme was temporarily suspended as there was a delay in securing more <keyword id="6409874" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="astrazeneca">AstraZeneca</keyword> vaccines, the report added. The Serum Institute of India (SII) recently suspended exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The WHO has recommended that the second jab must be made available within 12 weeks of the first. The second dose was to be administered from April 19, the report said. After the free gift, Sri Lanka placed an order for more doses of the Indian vaccine. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword>, has been developed in collaboration with SII. The Pune-based vaccine major has entered into a collaboration with the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine. The Serum Institute had curtailed exports in the recent weeks. So, Fernandopulle said that Sri Lanka was not able to gain any assurances on the arrival of the next consignment from India in time. This week China donated 600,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines. However neither the local health regulators or the WHO have approved its emergency use. Officials said the Chinese vaccine will be administered on the Chinese workers in the country. Sri Lanka is also to order 700,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/paytm-money-set-to-hire-250-engineers-for-its-new-technology-centre-in-pune/articleshow/81813092.cms">Paytm Money set to hire 250 engineers for its new technology centre in Pune</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/government-withdraws-interest-rate-cut-on-small-savings-schemes-in-a-bizarre-u-turn/articleshow/81813361.cms">Government withdraws interest rate cut on small savings schemes in a bizarre u-turn</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/coursera-soars-23-in-trading-debut-following-4-3-billion-ipo/articleshow/81785440.cms">Coursera soars 23% in trading debut following $4.3 billion IPO</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/indian-actor-rajinikanth-will-receive-the-51st-dadasaheb-phalke-award/articleshow/81818360.cms">Rajinikanth to receive the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke award</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/wipro-share-price-jumps-over-1-after-117-million-acquisition-of-australian-cybersecurity-firm-ampion/articleshow/81817928.cms">Wipro's share price jumps over 1% after $117 million acquisition of Australian cybersecurity firm Ampion</a>

Sri Lanka temporarily suspends COVID-19 jabs due to delay in securing vaccines from Serum Institute of India, says Health Minister

<ul><li>At the current rate (0.67 million per day), it will take at least 5.6 years to vaccinate the entire population with a single dose.</li><li>India needs to ban the export of <keyword id="79555" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vaccines">vaccines</keyword> manufactured in India to ramp-up vaccine distribution.</li><li>A massive effort is needed to vaccinate at least 10 million people per day that may have some dent in the virus’s ongoing intense transmission.</li></ul> The fact that the second wave of <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword> pandemic has arrived in India can neither be denied nor overlooked. And the new wave seems to be more severe both in terms of infectivity and lethality if one goes by the initial data gathered from the states severely affected by this recent surge. More than 55,000 cases and 250 deaths have been<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-reports-59118-new-covid-19-cases-in-last-24-hours-highest-single-spike-since-october-last-year/articleshow/81701772.cms"> reported</a> as of March 26 — the highest so far this year. Why the second surge? Opinions may be divided on the exact reason behind this resurgence. Still, as more and more data are emanating, it seems the advent of the new and more infectious variants, mainly the UK variant having N501Y substitution and 69/70 deletion, may be the main reason behind these outbreaks in a few states. The limited gene sequencing data have already pointed toward the presence of two distinct variants, the UK and South African in Maharashtra and Punjab, the two most severely affected states. The other reason could be laxity by both the Government and public in adhering to the non-pharmacological mitigation measures like masking, social distancing, avoiding gathering, etc. Another important reason could be the secular changes in the epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 virus since the first 3-4 months of the year favours the dissemination of respiratory viruses in some Indian states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc. One should remember that globally also, many waves of Covid-19 outbreaks have been observed. What impact did <keyword id="8764262" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">Covid</keyword> vaccines have? Now, it brings us to the critical question. What role did the Covid vaccines have in India’s ongoing fight with the virus? India gave emergency use authorisation to two Covid vaccines — <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> and <keyword id="9485939" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin">Covaxin</keyword> — in the first week of January 2021 and started the first inoculation phase from 16th January. So far,<a href="https://news.google.com/covid19/map?hl=en-GB&amp;mid=%2Fm%2F03rk0&amp;state=7&amp;gl=GB&amp;ceid=GB%3Aen"> around</a> 50 million doses have been administered, and 8 million people have received both doses. At the current rate (0.67 million per day), it will take at least 5.6 years to vaccinate the entire population with a single dose. Even if we add the already infected (i.e., 12 million) to the tally, 4.4 years would be needed to vaccinate everyone. We all know that the current threshold to achieve herd immunity is 70%, provided vaccines offer 100% protection and prevent asymptomatic transmission. Also, this estimate is based on the old circulation variant (D614G). Even this target (70%) would be reached in four years even with a single dose, and more than 20 years with the current pace. This means the impact of vaccination would be minimal until we cover a sizable proportion of our population. And by that time, the pandemic would have run its course. So, in all probability, the role of mass-scale vaccination would become redundant. Globally also barring one country,<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/25/half-of-israelis-fully-vaccinated-palestinians-lag"> Israel</a>, that has vaccinated more than 51% of its population with two doses, no other country has shown significant Covid vaccination. In the UK, where the new variant has caused a massive second wave in the last quarter of 2020, it was a strict lockdown that had maximum impact on the pace of the pandemic, though vaccination had some effect on the older population. Similarly, in the US, the virus’s natural epidemiological variation led to the waning of the third wave of their epidemic. However, one can ascribe the minimal impact of mass vaccination in large countries like the UK and US with a partial vaccination of the susceptible population. The most glaring example of the failure of large-scale vaccination is offered by<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/chile-critical-grip-second-covid-wave-one-best-vaccination-rates-rcna505"> Chile</a>, where despite vaccinating one-third of its people with a single dose and lying in the top three countries as far as vaccination per capita is concerned, it suffered another massive surge. <div type="image" title="Representative image." msid="81720961" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Representative image.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> How to make vaccines relevant to our fight against the Covid pandemic? So, will Covid vaccines fail to curb the ongoing pandemic? No, it depends on how judiciously we employ them. There is an intense competition between the pace of vaccination and the steady speed of virus spread. So far, the virus seems to be having the upper hand, and it is propelled by the assistance offered by its ongoing evolutions into more efficient forms. As far as India, the second-most-populous country in the world, is concerned, it seems handicapped by its inability to vaccinate quickly. Following measures may help to make vaccinations count as an effective intervention against the ongoing pandemic rather than as a redundant exercise: 1. Ramping up considerably the pace of vaccination: As described above, the current vaccination rate is sluggish. A massive effort is needed to vaccinate at least 10 million people per day that may have some dent in the virus’s ongoing intense transmission. At this rate, we can vaccinate a sizeable chunk of our population within 3-4 months that may halt the ongoing transmission. India can do this -- during the polio supplementary immunisation activities, India had vaccinated around<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-25708715"> 170 million children</a> during a round of vaccination. The vaccination at the current pace will lead to significant immunity gaps that may facilitate viral mutations. 2. Ban on export of vaccines manufactured in India: A critical hindrance to the rapid ramp-up of vaccine distribution would be the limited supply of vaccines. India may need at least 1.5 billion doses for its domestic use. On March 25th, India put a temporary <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56513371">hold </a>on all major exports of two indigenously produced vaccines. This is a step in the right direction considering ongoing intense viral transmission. However, another important vaccine, Covovax, originally developed by <keyword id="323030" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Novavax">Novavax</keyword> and produced here by the <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword>, is also needed to be prioritised for domestic use, and export should be deferred. This candidate has proved to have excellent efficacy and ease of production with tremendous scalability. Owing to these essential virtues, this candidate is the key to vaccinating the entire globe, not the mRNA or vector-based vaccines. 3. Need to fast-track the regulatory approval of Covid vaccines: Currently, Indian regulators have made it mandatory to conduct bridging studies in India for emergency use authorisation of even a proven product. Though this may add a certain value, this may prove to delay the vaccines’ roll-out amid an intense outbreak. Those vaccines that have already proven their efficacy amongst different populations need to provide a waiver. For example, few key vaccines like Novavax’s protein sub-unit, Sputnik-V and Janssen’s Ad26 vector vaccines, are being produced here by some Indian companies. All these vaccines have proven their efficacy globally, and two of them are in use in many countries. They should be made available for domestic use. 4. Rescheduling the administration schedule: Recently, the government of India announced a prolonged time interval between the first and second<a href="https://qz.com/india/1987681/india-increases-covishield-dose-gap-amid-delayed-shipments-to-uk/"> dose</a> of the Covishield vaccine from 4 weeks to 6-8 weeks. However, the<a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/covishield-is-813-efficacious-if-two-doses-administered-12-weeks-apart-lancet-study/article34025087.ece"> recent trial</a> of the Covishield demonstrates that a 12 weeks interval provides a higher efficacy (up to 81%) than at 6-8 weeks (60-64%). Furthermore, even single-dose protection may last up to 12 weeks with a reasonably good efficacy (76%). Similarly, the dosing schedule of inactivated vaccine, Covaxin, can be prolonged to 8 weeks since immunologically, a higher interval between two doses provides better immunity. Hence, it would be more fruitful to delay the second dose administration to enable a massive inoculation drive in the shortest possible time. 5. Abolish prioritisation for vaccination: The current government strategy, which is based on the WHO directive, is providing hindrance to rapid vaccination of the entire susceptible population. Covid immunisation should be made accessible for all on a war footing level. 6. Spread vaccine delivery points: Though the existing government distribution system can vaccinate 10 million individuals per day, nevertheless expanding the vaccine delivery booths at certain entry points like at airports, bus, railway stations, etc., may expedite this drive. Even mobile vaccine booths can be developed across the country. 7. Speeding up the genetic sequencing: Currently, only a few thousand samples have been sequenced genetically. Only a few hundred samples are taken up for genetic sequencing in a few large states like UP. Following the confirmation of a few variants in the country, there is an urgent need to ramp up the sequencing and study the vaccine efficacy against these emerging variants. The above-listed measures may help deliver Covid vaccines to a significant proportion of the population in the shortest possible time. To vaccinate the entire country over a few years may not serve any purpose. We need to utilise vaccines' availability to serve the purpose for which they were produced in a record time to end this pandemic. Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha is the former convener at the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Committee on Immunisation, and a Pediatrician at Mangla Hospital and Research Centre in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/barbeque-nation-ipo-gets-subscribed-almost-6-times-and-allotment-will-announced-on-1st-april/articleshow/81707826.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian dining chain Barbeque Nation’s IPO gets subscribed almost 6 times</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ever-given-the-ship-blocking-the-suez-canal-is-costing-billions-of-dollars-for-people-around-the-world/articleshow/81708146.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Ever Given, the ship blocking the Suez Canal, is costing billions of dollars for people around the world</a>

You Searched For "covishield vaccinated people" and got 11 results

Lancet article makes a case that those who took Covishield vaccine need booster shots

BI India Bureau

After SII's Covishield, Bharat Biotech plans to put its COVID-19 vaccine for approval before expert panel

IANS

Adar Poonawalla's Serum cuts Covishield vaccine price for state governments to ₹300 a dose after much backlash

Sriram Iyer

WHO confirms existence of fake Covishield vaccines in India; Serum Institute pushes for a booster shot

Kritti Bhalla

After UK and US, Italy also gives green pass to Covishield vaccine

IANS

Serum Institute to roll out COVID-19 vaccine for children in six months, says CEO Adar Poonawalla

PTI

Covishield vaccine also protects from 'double mutant' strain of COVID-19, says CCMB

IANS

If the COVID-19 vaccine prices are too high for some, then why not use direct benefit transfer

Sriram Iyer

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine controversy explained — from suspension in Europe to India’s stance

Prabhjote Gill

Sri Lanka temporarily suspends COVID-19 jabs due to delay in securing vaccines from Serum Institute of India, says Health Minister

PTI

Making vaccines available to Indians may not be enough, it depends on how judiciously we employ them

Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides